Anime is more popular than ever worldwide, but behind the scenes, things are getting more difficult. As production costs rise and international censorship gets tougher, especially in China, anime creators are being pushed to avoid entire genres and topics. The new unofficial rule? No romance, no rebellion.
These limits aren’t just affecting what shows up in China, they’re starting to influence what types of anime even get made in the first place.
Anime Is Returning To Japanese TV
A recent report from Mantan Web explains how anime is making a return to Japanese TV, which had previously seen fewer time slots due to the rise of streaming.
In the late 2010s, regular TV airtime for anime in Japan dropped off. But now, networks like Fuji TV and TV Asahi are adding new anime blocks. One recent example: NTV’s pre-release of a Mobile Suit Gundam film, which pulled over 2 million live viewers. That kind of number is a clear sign of renewed interest in watching anime on television.
According to Mantan Web, a big reason for this shift is how Demon Slayer took off during the pandemic. With many people staying at home, the show exploded in popularity and became a widely shared and discussed title. One of the key reasons for that success was how easy it was to access. It was available on many platforms, and that reach helped it gain attention from both longtime fans and new viewers.
Mantan Web also points out that anime made only for streaming hasn’t had the same lasting impact. The COO of DMM.com even said that the industry is now focusing more on getting shows out to as many people as possible, not locking them behind exclusive deals. The goal is to be practical—reach more fans and stay cost-efficient.
Major Challenges Behind the Scenes
Even with this positive shift in Japan, anime studios are still facing major hurdles.
Producing anime has become expensive. Mantan Web says a single episode can cost anywhere from 20 million to 80 million yen (around $130,000 to $530,000 USD). That kind of spending means studios can’t afford to take big risks. They need to be sure there’s a large enough audience, and that includes overseas markets like China.
Timing is also a problem. Most anime projects are planned 2–3 years ahead, which makes it difficult to match with quick TV schedules. On top of that, many studios are struggling to find enough experienced staff. With so few people available, newer and younger workers are often placed in key roles just to meet deadlines. This can lead to slower production times and, in some cases, quality issues.
Despite all of this, anime still brings in a lot of money globally through licensing and merchandise. According to Mantan Web, this overseas income is helping make up for lost revenue in Japan’s traditional TV ad market.
China’s Censorship is Reshaping What Gets Made
Mantan Web outlines how China, once a major income source for anime studios, has become one of the hardest markets to deal with.
The rules aren’t just about removing violent scenes or changing specific characters. China is now focused on removing themes they consider inappropriate. This includes stories with high school romance, characters who fight against authority, or anything that could be interpreted as criticizing the system.
In 2015, China’s Ministry of Culture banned 38 anime and manga titles, including major hits like Attack on Titan and Death Note. The reasons included things like “bad influence,” “too violent,” or “harmful to young people,” but many believe it was really about the message of the shows.
Even small details, like how blood is shown, are regulated. If a studio knows their work won’t pass China’s review process, they might skip the idea completely. It’s simply too expensive and time-consuming to make a series that might never air there.
Studios Are Changing Plans Before Shows Are Even Made
Also Read: Earth Map In Anime Gets Censored In A New Censorship from China
This is where things really start to affect fans everywhere. Mantan Web explains that creators are now thinking twice before even starting certain types of anime.
If a show includes school romance, rebellious characters, or anything seen as controversial, it might get rejected in China. Since that market is so important financially, many studios avoid those topics altogether.
This means fewer anime with emotional relationships, fewer social conflicts, and fewer unique storylines. It doesn’t just hurt the Chinese market, it reduces what gets made for everyone else, too.
Japan’s Domestic Growth Helps, But It’s Not a Full Fix
The boost in anime airing on Japanese TV is a good sign, and Mantan Web makes it clear that there are still strong fan bases in other regions like North America, Southeast Asia, and Latin America. These areas are helping keep anime profitable.
Still, China’s market is hard to replace. As long as these censorship rules remain, many creators will continue making decisions based on what won’t get them banned in that region.
Anime is still doing well, but the report reveals that there’s a shift happening in how shows are chosen, written, and made.
The growing influence of censorship, especially the idea of avoiding romance and rebellion, is slowly shaping the industry. If it continues, we may see fewer anime that tell emotional, personal, or bold stories. That’s a loss not just for fans in China, but for viewers everywhere.
Studios have a tough choice: follow the money or take creative risks. For now, many are choosing safety, and that choice affects the anime all of us get to watch.
Source: Mantan Web
